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Our Team

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Deborah Swan

Founder & Administrator, Hefflin Legacy Foundation

Deborah Swan is a retired educator, aerospace engineer, and passionate cultural preservationist. She founded the Hefflin Legacy Foundation to honor the life and legacy of her grandfather, Leon Hefflin Sr.—the visionary behind the Cavalcade of Jazz, considered the world’s first annual jazz
festival.


After a 20-year career in aerospace, Deborah became an award-winning educator with the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she inspired students through science, math, and culturally relevant history. Her greatest achievement was founding the “Black Wings Children’s Museum,” celebrating African-American contributions to aerospace—a project now supported by the Hefflin Legacy Foundation.

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Since retirement, Deborah has dedicated herself to restoring Leon Hefflin Sr.’s place in American history. She authored the 540-page photographic book The Impresario Leon Hefflin and the World’s First Annual Jazz Festival and established digital archives, Wikipedia entries, and public exhibits to ensure his story is never forgotten.

Meet The Team

Deborah Swan is shown with fellow recipients of the AIAA Award in Washington D.C. (pictured above)

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Deborah Swan is with her husband, Keith, at the AIAA Gala in Washington D.C. (pictured to the left)

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